Australia's rooftop solar success is becoming a global story, and Solar Citizens is playing a role on the global stage, writes Heidi Lee Douglas, Solar Citizens CEO
This year I had the privilege of representing Solar Citizens at London Climate Action Week, where I was invited to present our world-first modelling on Urban Renewable Energy Zones (UREZs).
If you've been following our Unlock Solar for Renters campaign, you'll know why this matters.
Our vision is simple: unlock the huge rooftop potential on commercial, industrial and public buildings, combine it with batteries and smart energy systems, and share that clean, affordable electricity with nearby apartments, renters and households that can't install solar themselves.
Instead of spending billions on unnecessary new poles and wires, we can make better use of the rooftops and grid infrastructure we already have. That means lower power bills, lower emissions and more resilient communities.
We're now putting that idea through detailed techno-economic modelling, and the project has attracted international attention because it could help transform how cities around the world share clean energy.
(read more about our support for Urban Renewable Energy Zones)
A heatwave brought the challenge into focus
I arrived in London during a severe heatwave, and the urgency of the climate crisis couldn't have been clearer.
Walking between meetings, I saw people in lower-income neighbourhoods leaving overheated homes to spend the day in parks because it was cooler outside than inside. Many older buildings in London were designed to keep heat in, not out, and countless homes still don't have air conditioning.
It was a powerful reminder that affordable clean energy isn't just about cutting emissions. It's about helping people stay safe, healthy and comfortable as our climate change - and this is now an urgent community need the world over.
On top of this the British Prime Minister was rolled. Dissatisfaction leads to political instability.
Australia's story is inspiring the world
Across every meeting, panel and discussion, people wanted to hear about Australia's extraordinary rooftop solar success.
The world is watching how millions of Australians have embraced rooftop solar, home batteries and other consumer energy technologies—and how government policies have helped make that possible.
Our message was simple:
Australia has shown what's possible. Now we can help other countries do the same.
When households are empowered to generate, store and share their own clean energy, everyone benefits.
Other highlights from London Climate Action Week
I was proud to represent Solar Citizens by:
☀️ Speaking on a panel about Pakistan's extraordinary rooftop solar boom and how solar can be the gateway to home electrification.
🌏 Attending an Australian Embassy event exploring the Pacific's vision for becoming the world's first 100% renewable energy region ahead of COP31.
🤝 Launching the 300 Million Solar Homes collaboration with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and the Global Solar Council. Together we're working to double projected global rooftop solar backed by storage by 2030.
🏙️ Presenting the vision for our world-first Urban Renewable Energy Zones modelling to an international audience.
I also met with our new movement partners to discuss growing rooftop solar campaigns in countries including Japan and Pakistan.
Why this matters back home
Taking Australia's success to the global stage isn't just about sharing what we've learned.
It's also about bringing home new ideas, partnerships, expertise and investment that can help Australians access cheaper, cleaner energy sooner.
By working with leading organisations around the world, we're strengthening ideas like Urban Renewable Energy Zones, learning from international innovation and building momentum for policies that will benefit Australians—including renters and apartment residents who are still locked out of rooftop solar.
Australia has already shown the world what's possible.
Now Solar Citizens has the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the global rooftop solar story—and bring the best ideas back home to build a cleaner, fairer and more resilient energy future for everyone.
Help Australia lead again
Will you add your name to our Global Rooftop Solar Pledge?
Together, we're calling on the Australian Government to commit to doubling rooftop solar by 2035 and champion a Global Rooftop & Household Solar Pledge.